Page 66 of Trucker
I didn’t have to like it.
Zoom eventually came to the phone for our regular check-in. It was all business until I was able to hang up. Then I laid in bed, listening to the night creatures squeaking outside the window, unable to sleep.
To make matters worse, I was turned on.
That issue was quickly solved as I remembered the fear in her eyes and hear the words she said about what caused the emergence of her nightmares.
I did.
The very thought of being with me scared her back into her trauma.
Closing my eyes, I squeezed them tightly.
She’s afraid of me.
“Shit.”
It rained the entire night and from what I could see from the weather forecast, it wouldn’t stop until later tin the day. I sent a message to the cadet group chat giving them the day off then took a chance and headed out for my usual run.
Though it wasn’t ideal and there was mud everywhere, the night I had before slowly seeped from my mind as I made my way through crips, raining, morning air.
I was completely soaked when I returned, but I didn’t mind.
I removed my soaked runners outside on the porch and Taji brought me a towel to wrap around my hips after removing my wet clothes.
Venturing inside, she was back in her office working away. Not wanting to disturb her, I showered, dressed and whipped out my laptop and phone to get some administrative things done.
Calling Zoom was foremost on my list and when I told her what was happening, I could hear the disbelief and anger in her voice.
“I’m sorry, what?” Zoom asked. “What the fuck is in the water in that town?”
“You’re asking the absolute wrong person.” I frowned. “I’m not leaving here until she’s safe and right now, I don’t feel like she is.”
“Listen to your gut.” Zoom told me. “You need extra muscle? Kaos is back, or I can run down there. Plus, Moose and Pen are coming for a visit.”
“Not yet. I’m going to get Zulu to look into a few things for me.” I replied. “Once I hear what she says, I’ll decide then.”
“Does she know you’re looking into her rape case?”
I sighed dramatically and glanced around to ensure I was still alone.
“Not her case.” I clarified. “I don’t think she wants that. But anything else I can find, I’m going to take. I can’t just sit here and do nothing, Zoom. It’s killing my soul.”
“I get you. But be careful, eh?”
I nodded.
“Okay. Keep me posted.”
Promising I would, I went back to emails.
Taji and I had to cancel our date—I wasn’t sure what she had planned but instead of worrying about it, I spent the day with her, watching movies when she took breaks from work.
“I feel like a house husband,” I said as I brought her a sandwich for lunch and something to drink. “Bringing you lunch like this.”
“I’m sorry—this was a last-minute gig.” She sighed and pushed up for a kiss. “This wasn’t the plan for today. I mean it.”
“I’m not complaining.” I told her, kissing her a few more times. “You can make it up to me later.”
